Health · 10 September 2026

NHS England saw 7.3 million A&E attendances in its busiest ever summer

NHS England reported nearly 7.3 million A&E attendances and 2.4 million ambulance callouts between June and August, the highest summer figures ever. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said extreme demand is no longer just a winter problem, with the service facing a “twin crisis” of summer and winter pressures. England's waiting list for routine hospital treatment reached 7.33 million by the close of July.

By BriefTea Editorial · 10 September 2026 at 14:57

Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

What is NHS England? What is A&E? What is a waiting list?

More briefs

HealthJamie Oliver's Wife Jools Reveals ADHD and Autism Diagnoses HealthEthnic Minority Patients Less Likely to Have Breast Cancer Found by Screening BusinessBird Flu Raises Risk of Christmas Turkey Shortage HealthBritain Took About 2.5bn Lines of Cocaine in a Year HealthOver 80,000 Children Wait More Than a Year for NHS Care HealthGP Says She Was Forced Out After Raising Gender Care Concerns More health stories → Browse all stories →